Archive for month: November, 2017

SEPT/OCT 2017 — “The famous saying ‘smaller is better’ is not necessarily true. A more accurate statement would be that “appropriate scale is better.” This brings us to the use of microturbines and their appropriate applications.”

Letter sent to all members of Congress across Horizon Power’s territory on October 27, 2017:

Horizon Power Systems is the exclusive distributor among 13 states – including Wyoming — of low-emission Capstone Microturbines, an advanced, energy-saving power technology that is eligible for a clean-energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that inadvertently expired in 2016.

I am writing to urge you to support the inclusion of clean-energy tax credit language (S.B. 1409 & H.B. 1090) ) in tax reform proposals. The bill retroactively extends the Investment Tax Credit for microturbines, combined heat and power, fuel cells, small wind and thermal energy through 2021.

For over eight years, the ITC has helped hospitals, manufacturers, universities, data centers and other facilities secure clean-and-green microturbines as part of Combined Heat & Power (CHP) systems. Microturbines and CHP dramatically cut a business’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

eliminate transmission and distribution losses from central power plants.

Unfortunately, the tax credit expired last year. Since 2008, this tax code has included a modest 10% ITC for CHP projects that are less than 25 megawatts and include microturbines, among other technologies.

To encourage use of CHP, the Administration should defend and extend tax incentives for CHP through legislation that would amend the tax code in the following ways:

Gradually reduce credits for technologies that initially qualified at the 30% level on the same schedule as currently provided for solar power

Increase the geothermal electric ITC from 10% to 30%, with a gradual reduction akin to solar

Add Waste Heat to Power as a qualifying technology for the Sec. 48 ITC

Extend the Sec. 25D residential credit for these technologies through 2021, with a gradual reduction akin to solar

“Must Pass” Legislation

CHP is well regarded because it complies with many federal and state air quality regulations. However, the initial capital cost of a CHP project can be a barrier, whether power comes from a microturbine, fuel cell, geothermal, small wind or thermal system. This legislation is “must pass”. Our country needs ITC to assist with financing. Without it, we could see:

limited business and job growth (especially in engineering and construction)

decreased economic activity

reduced energy independence

continued deterioration of the U.S. power grid

weakened national security

Horizon Power Systems requests that you support inclusion of tax credit language (S.B. 1409 & H.B. 1090) ) in the tax reform package. Your support will make American manufacturing more competitive and create new business opportunities and jobs. Without it, key resources that support energy efficiency could be eliminated.

The group showcased a range of innovative technologies representing the future of Utah’s energy economy, which includes harnessing the state’s ample renewable resources, powering businesses and homes more efficiently, and maximizing the efficiency of fossil energy projects.

Dixon, based in Salt Lake City, shared details about Capstone Microturbine technology for Combined Heat and Power applications and installations for the oil and gas industry. One Horizon Power installation has helped oil and gas producer Pioneer Natural Resources/EFS Midstream increase efficiency and ensure round-the-clock operation with uninterrupted power. The turbines have commercial and industrial applications that bring significant energy cost savings, decrease emissions, and increase onsite power reliability.

Other participants:

Utah Clean Energy
Salt Lake City, UT
Josh Craft, Government and Corporate Relations Manager
Since 2001, Utah Clean Energy has lead the transition to a new clean energy economy in Utah and the West with vision and expertise. Through advocacy, policy, and public outreach, the organization tackles today’s serious energy challenges with a toolbox of innovative solutions and workable strategies in energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and planning for the transition to a clean energy economy. Utah Clean Energy also manages a Business Coalition composed of providers and end users leading the clean energy transformation, with 26 Sustainers Circle members and 27 Affiliate Members.

Enel Green Power
Andover, MA (with operations in Millard County, UT)
Terry Page, Regulatory Affairs and Innovation
Enel Green Power North America, Inc. (EGP-NA), part of the Renewable Energies division of the Enel Group, is a leading owner and operator of renewable energy plants in North America with projects operating and under development in 23 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. EGP-NA operates over 100 plants with a managed capacity exceeding 2.8 GW powered by renewable hydropower, wind, geothermal, and solar energy. The company’s Cove Fort power plant in Utah is the first project in the world to successfully integrate hydropower technology at a binary geothermal plant. This innovative technology reduces operational and maintenance expenses and increases energy efficiency and availability with the potential to be replicated at other sites around the world.

Lux Energy
Farmington, UT
Ray Wilcox, Lux Energy Group
Lux Energy Group is an energy management services consulting firm working with a range of clean and efficient energy solutions, including renewable energy, natural gas, and combined heat and power. The company particularly serves clients in the building sector, working to develop customized solutions to help customers reduce their energy use and costs. One of Lux’s projects includes renovations of the central plant at The Gateway, an outdoor shopping mall in Salt Lake City.

Ormat Technologies
Reno, NV (working in Veyo, UT)
Paul Thomsen, Executive Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs
Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (REG)/waste heat to power generation. The company’s current generating portfolio of 626 MW is spread globally in the U.S., Guatemala and Kenya, and its REG technology has secured over 77 U.S. patents. In Utah, Ormat has a 5 MW waste heat to power facility located in Veyo, under a PPA with UAMPS with power solutions that have been refined and perfected under the most grueling environmental conditions. The company has also provided services and equipment for several geothermal projects operated by Enel Green Power in Cove Fort, Milford, and Minersville, Utah.

Pure Energy Group
Park City, UT
Brandon Julian, CEO and Colton Julian, Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy
Pure Energy Group’s (PEG) turn-key, automated systems offer customers the ability to convert organic waste byproducts into on-site renewable energy while significantly reducing post-process waste residual handling and disposal. Originally developed at Utah State University, the company’s Induced Bed Reactor (IBR) is a high-rate anaerobic digestion technology with eight combined U.S. and global patents. This novel reactor can be utilized by a variety of commercial and industrial industries that produce organic waste streams as a byproduct of their daily operations. Pure Energy Group worked with Devil’s Canyon Brewery in California to convert brewery waste into biogas energy.

QuasarWave (Q Hydrogen Solutions Corporation)
Park City, UT
Whitaker B. Irvin, Jr., CEO
QuasarWave is the innovator of a cutting-edge technology to generate hydrogen fuel from water in a cost-effective, highly-efficient manner. The company has secured 13 global patents, with an additional 28 pending. QuasarWave is currently expanding and exploring a broad range of applications, including utility-scale power production.

Sound Geothermal
Sandy, UT
Cary Smith, President
Sound Geothermal provides ground source heat pump solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs in heating, ventilation and air conditioning for homes and businesses. Some projects utilize solar panels to power the ground source heat pumps, such as this project in an urban fill development near downtown Salt Lake City. The company’s largest projects are cityscapes: multiple buildings connected together that share energy and utilize the ground to store energy long-term and short-term.